For The Glory Of God

My 3 year journey!

2008-12-10T20:49:00.010+08:00

The year 2008 will be coming to a close in a few hours time. It's been almost 3 months since I have graduated and obtained my wings. Being part phlegmatic that I am, I've only finally mustered sufficient drive to put in this entry to close up this chapter of my life and start a new one.

Looking back at the time when I first submitted my application to the airforce, it's been 3+ years. So many things have happened since. I remember I was still an undergraduate at NUS, awaiting for my application to go through, wondering whether it would ever be in God's will for me to become a fighter pilot.

The journey through the selection, basic flying and the fighter training phase were challenging and trying periods for my love ones and I. I dare say that, these 3 years have been a very humbling and yet wonderful experience. Humbling, because never in my life thus far, have my weaknesses been so clearly revealed to me. Wonderful because through my weaknesses, the Lord has shown to me how Sovereign and great He is. The Lord has taught me total dependence and complete trust in Him through the following 3 particular phases, which I would like to share.

1) Medical

To keep it brief, I've always had sinus problems since young - stuffy nose in the morning and such. And I was afraid that I would not pass the aviation medical check for that reason. I prayed and God answered mightily. He not only cleared me through my medical check ups, but ever since, my sinus problem has never given me any problems during my flight training! How great a God is He!

2) Selection for fighters

10 months of basic flight training in Australia was to be the stage for fighter selection. This was a period where I truly learnt to humble myself and leave it all in God's sovereign hands. Only the best few trainees from this training would be selected to proceed on for fighter training. I prayed and pleaded to God daily and God answered by showing His power and sovereignty by granting me a slot in fighter training against all statistical odds! Can you imagine how elated and happy I was when I received that news! It was not by my hard work, diligence and ability that earned me my place in fighter training, but it was by God's grace and mighty hands that have done so! Praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness!

3) Completing fighter training

My one year in France have been the most trying time. This phase in particular was really an enligtening and humbling one as well. Never before have my weaknesses been so clearly revealed to me than this phase. There have been many times that I have envied my course mates because of their performance and ability. I've never ceased to pray and hope that the Lord would grant me better performance and ability. But somehow the Lord has sufficiently provided that which is sufficient, nothing more and nothing less. In doing so the Lord has taught me total dependence on Him as He leads, guides and provides sufficiently daily and each step of the way. God has strenghtened my faith and increase my dependence on Him. I thank God for His moulding, and His mercies and grace in leading and guiding me through this course every single step of the way.

I recount the many times even up till the last few flights of the course, where I didn't even dare dream that I would be able to graduate as a fighter pilot, I truly praise and thank the Lord for fulfilling that dream. Words are not enough to express the gratitude and praise that I have for the Lord God almighty! Praise the Lord from whom all blessings flow!!

What Next?

The past 3 years were not easy but thanks be to God for His grace and mercies! As I begin my journey as a fighter pilot to defend my nation, I know the road ahead and journey that awaits me would be fraud with numerous and possibly overwhelming obstacles, difficulties and uncertainties. But one thing I am sure of, is that the Lord is sovereign, mightier and more powerful than whatever I would face! My trust and faith would be in God and God alone!

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." -Psa 18:30

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." -Psa 18:2

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." -Psa 118: 8-9

"For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible(to be revered and feared), which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward" -Deu 10:17

p.s.

It is my ernest prayer that this testimony would be an encouragement to anyone reading it.

For those with like precious faith, be encouraged that you can commit and trust the Lord in anything, from the smallest of things to the biggest of problems. The Lord is able, mighty and sovereign!

For those of you who are non-Christians, I pray that this account of the Lord's goodness toward me would get you thinking about the only true and living God that I worship, the Lord Jesus Christ. And by God's grace, one day, you too would come to accept and believe in this true and living God!

The Lord my comforter and strength

2008-08-10T03:37:00.006+08:00

Blogging is definitely not my second nature, which explains for the long lapses between entries, but the Lord has been so good to me that I cannot keep quiet.

It's been 10 months since I started my course here in France. I'm about 70-80% through with the course. The journey here is definetely harder and more challenging than Australia and I really never dare imagine that I would be able to come this far, much less graduate. There have been many ups and downs and there were times that I really thought that I wouldn't pull through those downs. And there are many times that I really was down spirited and discouraged. Being away from home and loved ones, I felt alone. The only source of comfort, relief and assurance I could find was from the Bible and prayer, pouring out my heart and soul to the Lord who hears.

The Lord was the one who comforted me and uplifted my spirits. He was the one who raised me up from my falls and set me on my feet. He gave me the extra strength and grace to scale those impossible mountains. He would never let me be tried more than what I could take. The Lord indeed is true and faithful and He is sovereign and able to keep! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the only true and living GOD! Praise His Wonderful name.

Let this entry be an encouragement and a reminder to all that, the only source of true comfort, assurance and joy is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, simply because He hears, Is Able and answers.

As you can see from the counter at the top of the blog, I'm near to the end of the course. God willing, I will graduate in about a month's time. Let it be known to all who reads this, that when I do graduate, it is solely by the grace, mercies and sovereign hand of God and not my own hard work or abilities. So let all praise and glory be unto the LORD MOST HIGH!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof." -Psa 16:1-3

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." -Psa 18:2

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." -Psa 37:24

God even in the computer age

2008-06-30T03:07:00.003+08:00

Its been a very long time since I've put in an entry but God has been so good that it would not be right to just keep quiet about His goodness. However this would be a short entry tho.

My laptop was hit by some virus and spyware, which had these irritating popups every few minutes. It was truly annoying! At that point in time, my mind really went blank. I didn't know what I could do besides re formatting my com. However, I've never reformatted a computer before and I did not have any of the software installation discs with me here in France! I was really lost in terms of what to do. My mind went into a swirl, thinking of how I would survive without a properly working computer. I needed it for briefs and projects! It was not just a comfort item, it was a need. While waiting for my recovery disc to be created (it took about an hour and a half), I pleaded with God that I really really needed the computer to be back in its working condition.

And guess what, after a system restore and a restart, the computer went back to normal! And my anti-virus which was not able to contain the virus earlier on, was able to do it after the system restore! I'm not a person who is very savvy with computers and I really do not know the technical details of what happened, but I do know one thing, and that is, God is a God even in this computer age! He is sovereign and nothing is too hard for HIM! Praise His glorious name!

"Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:" -Jer 32:17

First Solo!

2008-01-01T01:32:00.000+08:00

Meant to put this entry 2 weeks ago. Anyway here it is.

I went for my first solo on the A4SU Super Skyhawk about 2 weeks ago. It's a milestone for me in my training to be a pilot. Honestly, I really didn't dare imagine of going for my first solo so smoothly! I expected it to be fraud with more difficulties and much harder than what I've gone through. I'm not saying that it was easy but it was smoother than what I expected.

Its definitetly by the grace and mighty arm of the Lord alone, who has brought and guided me through to my first solo! All praise and glory be to Him. It is not by my own strength but His alone that I've come this far. The days ahead would only get tougher and more challenging. I do not know what the future holds but my trust and confidence is in the Lord who is my Rock and Fortress,unwaivering and unchanging.

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." -Psa 18:2

All Glory to God Almighty!

My Soverign Loving Lord!

2007-11-04T06:50:00.000+08:00

It feels as if it was just last week that I bid farewell to my family, loved one, and friends but in actual fact, it was more than a month ago. How time flies.

Before I left for France, I did not really search for a church in France and wasn't really concerned about which church I would be attending, partly because I was loaded and armed with a fair bit of Bible study material and I thought it would suffice. Even when I got here, I did not really search for a church until one of the guys here told me that there was an English service near base. I did a search on the internet and did find some church with an English service. I noted the address but didn't quite get round to finding out where the place was. But the marvellous thing is that God wasn't just about to let me go on procrastinating. Instead, He intervened by moving our OC to send an email to us inviting us to attend an English service that he was attending! How coincidental was that? I can assure you, it wasn't mere coincidence, but it is the providence and Sovereignty of God displayed!

I pray and hope that this sharing would encourage and remind you that the Only True and Living God is a Sovereign God, the Lord most High, who is in absolute control regardless of the circumstance, situation, spiritual or emotional state you might be in. Not only is He a Sovereign Lord who is above all, He is also a loving God who understands, cares for us and wants to be involved in every aspect of our life. This experience of how God led me to a church here is testimony of it.

The Glory of God

2007-07-09T21:09:00.000+08:00

"The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."

-Psa 126:3

"Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations." -1Ch 16:24

The Lord has indeed done great things for me; whereof I am glad. And this entry, just like the rest is to delcare His glory and marvelous works to everyone.

He has graciously seen me through the course and I've finally officially completed my course here as of today. My journey here has not been an easy one. There were many ups and downs but through it all, the God of heaven and earth has seen me through it all. He has upheld me during my lows and given me that quiet, confident assurance that He is sovereign and in abosolute control regardless the situation. When I humble myself and plead with the Lord in times of anxiety, God warms my heart and fills my inner being with a peace that cannot be explained and passeth all understanding. The Lord is indeed the only true and living God who is worthy and greatly to be praised and worshipped.

I joined the airforce with the hope of being a fighter pilot but was not sure what what the will of God is for me. I did pray asking God to deny me the chance to even start a career in the airforce if it is His will not for me to be a fighter pilot in fear that I would face that dreaded day of disappointment when i do not become a fighter pilot. But at the same time, there was a small part of me who did not mind being a pilot of other platform if it was really God's will not for me to be a fighter pilot. Daily, I earnestly prayed and committed this matter unto God and it was to be that as the days went by, and as God guided me through each phase, from the medical check ups, to my selection phase and up to my current course here, the desire to be a fighter pilot grew. I believe that even as I daily commit this matter unto God and acknowledge Him in my ways, He has directed my paths and even placed in me this growing desire to be a fighter pilot.

People did tell me that because of my age, it is not in my favour to be in the fighters. Learning rate for me would be slower than the younger ones and the many possible considerations that the organisation has in selecting and sending people for fighter training is not in my favour. And besides, I did not have perfect eyesight and have slight sinus problems. But the Lord has mightily and graciously overcame the odds for me. He has granted me extra discipline and strength, which I've never had in my many years of academics, to study and prepare for sorties. He has sustained and kept me in good health during my course of stay here. I have not fallen ill once so far and it is solely by the sustainance and mercies of God. He has granted me clear, unblocked nose to fly daily, grace to fly reasonbly well and learn fairly fast. How Marvellous God is!

And as if all that is mentioned is not enough to show that it is the mighty arm of God that has brought me through thus far, my course starts diminishing in number. From past statistics, generally the top 1/3 will usually be selected and sent to fighters. As mentioned in the previous post, it would statistically not be in my favour if the number in my course were to reduce. It would only mean that there would be lesser fighter slots. As the streaming day for my course drew nearer, there were rumours going around that for our course of 8, there would only probably be 2-3 fighter slots at most. I am ashamed to say but my heart sank and there were moments when I did waiver in faith and wonder whether it is God's will for me to actually go to the fighters. But these moments did not last long for I was quickly snapped back into the correct perspective of how small these matters are compared to who God is. I have never pleaded to the Lord so earnestly before in my life.

And to the glory of God, I am selected for fighter training. And not only that but am also selected to be a reserve for an overseas fighter course. I did pray and ask God that if it His will not for me to go for this overseas course, that he would not put me in the reserve. But now that I have been selected to be in the reserve, I have this feeling and confidence that God has a plan for me. Whatever it is, the Lord's will be done!

The Lord has indeed been faithful and gracious to my family and me and there are so many more things that I can thank and praise Him for but I shall leave that for another time or face to face sharing.

All Glory to the Lord of Hosts!

Why?

2007-05-27T21:38:00.000+08:00

Why do I want so much to be a fighter pilot? Ask me when I get back =)

Why I need to be a fighter pilot?

1. That the faith of my friends and family will be strengthened.

I’m not sure if its us Asians or us, the more conservative Christians who have pessimism in our blood but I can’t help but notice that when one encourages another, I often hear the phrase “Even if the Lord doesn’t bring to pass what you’ve praying for, He has a purpose and His ways are not our ways.” being spoken or something along that line. I’m not saying that it is wrong or false. It is definitely true and it definitely puts the situation in perspective and balance, and prepares the person to accept the will of God, which in this case would be the undesired outcome. Even I’m guilty of this kind of encouragement. I’m not saying that we omit it totally but let’s not be too hasty to give this kind of encouragement.

Personally, having received this kind of encouragement often, instead of being encouraged, I am oft times discouraged. It is no doubt that this is a good reminder that whatever comes, I must accept it for it is the perfect will of God. However, I’m discouraged because I get the sentiment and feel that the person does not dare to commit to saying or believing that God is able and will bring it to pass. It just gives me the feeling that in our mind’s eye, the God that we believe in is rather less able and powerful than the powerful, almighty God who divided the red sea, brought down fire from heaven and created the heavens and the earth whom we learn and read about in the Bible. Or maybe in our mind’s eye, the God we believe in is less willing to do great and mighty works these days as compared to the days of old. It doesn’t help especially when the person being encouraged is already in a difficult situation. It’s sort of as good as saying to him “give it up lah.” I am not accusing or being judgmental but rather, I’m speaking for myself. I am guilty of this. That’s the reason that comes up when I really search deep down why I give those “kinds” of encouragement sometimes. It’s very often that we tend to belittle God in difficult circumstances and so quickly waiver in our faith in God.

Before we give such an encouragement, let us take that opportunity to reflect and search ourselves for the real reason why we are giving it. Is it because of the reason, which is written in the previous paragraph or is it because we want to truly remind, bring perspective and balance to the circumstance and encourage that brethren that regardless, God is sovereign. I pray that our reason would be the latter.

I would like to urge everyone not to be so quick in giving this “kind” of encouragement but rather give more “positive” encouragements first. An e.g. would be “lean not unto thy understanding but in all thy ways commit it unto the Lord and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” And encouragements must definitely be according to the word of God.

I hope and pray that through this event, the faith of my family and friends would be strenghtened and that we'll all be reminded that the God we believe in is the same almighty God of Moses and Elijah; the same God who brought the universe into existence.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” - Jer 33:3

2. That my friend(s) might not mock the faith that I have in the God of this universe and really see the glory of the Lord through this.

I’ve often told my friend(s) that if the Lord wills, regardless of the situation, I will go to the fighters and it’s not that my friend has outwardly mocked that faith that I have but with my interactions with him, I get the feeling that he would, if I do not go to the fighters.

That my friends might see how the Lord has overcame for me the many odds and uncertainties that were in my path simply because of the simple faith I have in the true and living God. So that my friends would see how real the God I believe in is.

“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.” - Psa 83:18

3. That I might declare to the people around me the wondrous works, abundant grace, mighty sovereign hands of God. In essence, that the glory of God may be shown and declared.

As mentioned in my blog sometime ago, the odds and uncertainties that are in my way are many. Just to mention two, my age and eyesight is not in my favour for fighters.

And even as I train here, some more odds and uncertainties have surfaced. Just to mention a few, I’m not one of those who are born, natural flyers. I did have a fair share of tough and rough patch in my training. But the grace and strength of God has been sufficient and has brought me thus far.

And even as my course has reduced from 18 to a small number of 9, I would expect the slots for fighters to reduce. If I was 4th in the course of 18 or even 16, statistically speaking, my chances of qualifying for fighters is higher than when I’m 4th in a course of 9. If God intended for me to go to fighters, the latter would be a better way. Why do I say that? It is because it would more clearly and convincingly show that it is God’s sovereign mighty hand alone that has guided me and brought me to the fighters. If it was the former i.e. 4th in a course of 16, people can attribute it to my hard work and making it there by my own effort. But if it was the latter, i.e. 4th in a course of 9, statistically speaking, it is already to my disadvantage, and so it would convincingly show that God alone is the one who got me to the fighters by His mighty hands. God’s name would be glorified.

“Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvelous works among all nations.” - 1Ch 16:24

4. That my faith may be strengthened.

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety [deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory] is of the LORD.” - Pro 21:31

“For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.” - Psa 44:6 - 7

... And yet not my will but Yours be done.

Prayer of Faith

2007-02-11T23:08:00.000+08:00

The heavens declare the glory of God…

Comet Mcnaught is the first comet I’ve ever seen in my life. It was bright and visible and a really beautiful sight here down under. The night sky here is really beautiful with all the hosts of heaven shining and shimmering like jewels. A pity I do not have much time to spend my nights out under the wonderful heavens. Just an hour or so out under God’s handiwork was all that was needed to put me in the correct perspective and be still and know that God, He is God.

As I train here and pray daily and earnestly committing this dream of being a fighter pilot unto God, I still sometimes wonder if it is God’s will for me to be in the fighters. No doubt that I’m absolutely confident and sure that God is able to bring it to pass for what is this as compared to the heavens and earth that He has created from naught. Is any thing too hard for the LORD?

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consists.” - Col 1:16-17

But are my prayers, prayers of little faith? What is a prayer of faith? I’ve often pondered over this. Is it just praying and believing that God is able to bring it to pass? Or is it praying and believing that God is able and will bring it to pass? So what exactly is a prayer of faith? What attitude of prayer should I be adopting? An attitude of prayer that has absolute confidence that God will bring it to pass? Or an attitude of prayer that has absolute confidence that God is able to bring it to pass if it’s according to His will? To be honest I do not have a sure answer, but this is what I’ve found after reading God’s word and some after thought.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” – Heb 11:1 (KJV)

“To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.” – Heb 11:1 (GNB)

“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” – Matt 21:22

The verses above explain quite clearly what faith is. So in application, my hope is to be a fighter pilot. So having faith is to be assured and sure of this hope and to be certain that I’ll be a fighter pilot, which is something that is still not yet seen. The second verse in application would be that if I ask in prayer, believing that God bring to pass this dream, I’ll receive it. So all I have to do is pray and believe that God will bring it to pass and it is considered done. Is this right? Not quite I think.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” – Jam 4:3

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” – 1 Thess 4:3a

The first two verses must be read in context with the above verses and other verses in the bible that tells us about the will of God. If the motives for my prayer to be a fighter pilot are wrong, God would not bring it to pass. If I’m not asking according to the will of God, it would definitely not come to pass. Would being a fighter pilot make me more Christ-like or less? Does God have a purpose for me to be in the fighters? There are countless other questions that can be asked concerning whether this prayer of mine is according to the will of God but the above are just a few examples.

So what is a prayer of faith? – Is it just praying, believing that God is able to bring it to pass or is it praying, believing that God is able and will bring it to pass? I’m convinced that the answer is both. If God has unveiled His will so clearly to you, a prayer of faith would be the latter. But if you are still unclear and unsure of whether what you’ve asked for is God’s will, then a prayer of faith would be the former.

As for me, I wouldn’t say I’m 100% sure that it is God’s will for me to be a fighter pilot, but I’m quite confident that God will bring it to pass. As I ask God to daily show and unveil His will to me, my prayer of faith is slowly “evolving” from believing that God is able to bring it to pass to God is able and will bring it to pass. So how does God unveil His will? For me, it is through daily situations and circumstances, through His word and the reflection of God’s guidance and goodness in my life in time past. To each, if God intends His will to be made known, it would be clear beyond a shadow of a doubt.

My last thoughts… If any of us is unsure of what God’s will is for us concerning a certain matter. Let us not stop at just praying, believing that God is able to bring it to pass, but continue in prayer, asking God to guide us each step of the way and show to us His will concerning the matter that we’re praying for. And of course, even before we can pray a prayer of faith, we must first be still and know that God, He is God; The Creator of the universe, who is clothe in majesty; The only true and living God. And nothing is too hard for the Lord.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Heb 11:6

All Glory to The Lord Most High!

Back From Blog Slumber...

2006-08-20T18:27:00.001+08:00

It's been a while since I have put in an entry. And with friends asking and reminding me that it's been awhile since I've updated my blog, I've decided to now update it. God has really been good and gracious to me. There are so many things to thank and praise God for that I don't really know how and where to start. That's one of the reason beside my laziness that explains why my blog has not been updated =þ.

Many of you who are not my airforce friends probably wonder what I've been up to in the past few months since I completed the OCS training phase. In brief, I've been through a course that contains modules that are essential to flying, medical tests, G-profiles, etc.

COURSE

I've never experienced such intensity of presentations and exams in my whole life of education up till this course. It was really a great and unforgettable experience! I really thank God for seeing me through this course, which lasted 2 months. God provided course mates who were really great company. And nights with them were never without boistrous laughter. So boistrous that it got us into some trouble =þ. Anyway, I really thank God for them and God willing, most of them would be going over to Australia with me. Thank God for the good memory, wisdom and composure throughout the presentations and exams. God has even graciously blessed me with highest scores for two of the exams. All glory to GOD!

MEDICAL TESTS/G-PROFILES

During the first medical test that I went through before I entered the airforce, I found out through the doctors that the polyps in my nose were larger than normal and it was restricting the airflow through my left nostril. And duing that first medical test, I was sent to get a heart scan because my ECG showed a suspected heart murmur. Through it all, I thank God that He heard my prayer and at the end of that first medical test, I was certified fit to fly. And here it was again that same thorough medical test that I was to go through before I fly off to Australia. I was afraid and fearful of whether there would be any problems that I might have, which would delay me from going for training. But God is good and almighty for He has graciously given me a body that is fit and healthy enough to leave to train in Australia! Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow!

G-profiles are basically sessions of subjecting the body to higher gravitational(G) forces with the aim that the human body will get used to it. ECG leads were placed on our bodies on some of the sessions to see if our heart was ok when subjected to higher G-forces. And I want to thank God that all is fine with me, considering that my first medical test showed suspected heart murmur on my ECG!! God is indeed gracious and Sovereign! I want to thank God too for seeing and strenghtening me through the various G-profiles which included 8Gs! Thank God that I did not G-LOC (G-induced Loss Of Conciousness). It was really by His strength and grace that I've gone through the G-training sessions without G-LOC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJi1vi9XHWY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuPTi4rcCV0&mode=related&search =

NOW...

God-willing, I'll be departing for Australia at the end of September. So as of now, I have administrative stuff to settle, lessons to revise and review and and am just eagerly waiting to go over to Australia. This phase of training would decide whether I go to fighters, Helicopters, Transport or I get chop. If you haven't already known, my dream and desire is to go to the fighters, even for NFTC (http://www.nftc.net/nftc/en/flash/nftc.jsp), a fighter course conducted in Canada, which is even harder to get in. Only the true and living God, my God can bring it to pass for He alone is Sovereign!

MY DAILY PRAYER...

"O Lord my God, the God Whom the Highest Heavens and the earth cannot contain, Creator and God of the universe. Who am I to come before You, the Creator of the Universe? But I thank You O Lord that through Your Son Jesus Christ, I'm able to come boldly yet humbly before Your throne.

I commit to you my dream and desire of being a fighter pilot, the dream of even going for NFTC, into Your mighty Hands. O Lord, there are many uncertainties and odds against me, but I know that You are a great God and You alone are in absolute control for you are Sovereign! O God, I will not trust in my strength, nor will I trust in my ability, or anything else. But my trust, my faith, my hope will solely and entirely be in You O God, for You O God giveth grace to fly well, for you O Lord giveth strength and the ability! And it is You O God who grants the fighter slot. So God, I pray and plead with You to bring it to pass for Your Glory O Lord, yet not my will but Yours be done.

In Jesus' Name I pray, A-men."

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? -Psa 8:3-4

"... God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom..." -Dan 1:17

"And I[God] have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship" -Exo 31:3

"And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much..." -1Ki 4:29

Dentists and Needles!

2006-06-25T12:55:00.000+08:00

"...The heart pumps faster, there is an unnoticable(at least to the people around) increase in breathing rate and a slight tensing of the muscle..."

No, I'm not describing what happens when boy meets girl. Rather, it's what I experience before each injection and dental visit. I have a phobia of needles and I dread going to the dentist. That's why I shun blood donation, queue last when it comes to vaccination jabs and procrastinate when it's time to visit the dentist. I've always been afraid of needles and scaling from young!

Now, what do we get when we put dentists and needles together? ... My nightmare - a horrible, gut wrenching , torturous wisdom tooth extraction! Wisdom tooth extraction procedure:

1) Injection will be given to the jaw area to numb the area.

2) The gum around the tooth is retracted and moved to one side.

3) Some of the jaw bone around the tooth is removed.

3) Often the tooth is sawed into 2 pieces before it is removed.

4) The gum is then repositioned and stitched. The stitches will be removed 1 week later.

I went to the dentist recently for a check up to see if I needed to extract the two wisdom teeth I have. This checkup was to clear me for my training overseas. Most of my friends with wisdom teeth had to extract theirs. Then came my turn... I entered the room, greeted the dentist and quickly took my place at the torture chair. The checking of my teeth was uneventful and when he was done checking, he asked if my wisdom teeth was giving me problems. "No problems" was my answer and his next sentence is the thing I want to give thanks to God for! He mentioned that my wisdom teeth is embedded in the bone and there is no need to extract it! Can you imagine my relief?! Whew!!

I want to give thanks to God for sparing me from wisdom teeth extraction. He is indeed merciful and gracious. A great and wonderful God is He! Who can control whether one would have have wisdom teeth or not, or if the wisdom teeth grew in a way that required it to be extracted or not? Who can control uncertainties and unknowns? Only the Creator of this universe can!

"Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" -Exo 15:11

"To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." -Jud 1:25

A DREAM~

2006-03-26T17:38:00.000+08:00

A Dream~. . .

. . . to soar above the clouds.
. . . to tear through the sky at mach 2.
. . . to pilot the most maneuverable aircraft.
. . . to terrain mask ("hug the terrain") at break-neck speed.
. . . to hear the growl of a sidewinder.
. . . to pull excruciating Gs.
. . . to fly sweep, s.e.a.d, strike, c.a.p, e.t.c. missions.
. . . to fly high yoyos and rolling scissors.
. . . to be a F-I-G-H-T-E-R P-I-L-O-T!

The possible odds* against me. . .

1) My age - what I hear is that they prefer the younger trainees to older ones. The young learns faster.
2) My imperfect eyesight - Who would think of a specky when the term "fighter pilot" is mentioned?
3) My no-alcohol conviction - Its a grog drinking, rowdy culture! (rowdiness comes with alcohol, doesn't it.) "hmm... your character would not fit the fighter world" - a possible comment by instructors?

The uncertainties*. . .

1) The availability of fighter slots; the demand at that given point in time.
2) Physiological/health/psychological problems at any point of training.
3) Just not cut out for it?

The assurance, comfort and strength. . .

My GOD is sufficient. He is in absolute control. And yes, the uncertaintes and odds are His to control. He is the one who grants wisdom and gives the skills. God most high is the one who decides and brings to pass whatever He wills. My GOD is a living GOD!

"But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath, the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation." - Jer 10:10

"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me."

-Psa 57:2

"For the LORD most high is terrible[to be feared and revered]; he is a great King over all the earth." - Psa 47:2

*I'm quite certain that there are more odds and uncertainties that I may have overlooked but these mentioned are the gist of what I see.

I'm a SURVIVOR...

2006-03-15T18:21:00.000+08:00

...by GOD's abundant grace and mercies!!!

The survival training that I had just completed in Brunei was as tough or even tougher than I had expected. But I thank God that it's all over and I survived it. There are many things I would like to give thanks to God for:

WEATHER

"The rain would usually come in the late afternoon...4,5pm. It's been like that lately..." Or so the instructor said.

To put things in context, the weekend before departure to Brunei, I got a fairly deep cut on my ankle, which was sustained from a careless "encounter" with a drain. I was praying very hard that the wound would heal completely before I started my survival training but it did not. I was almost quite sure that wearing boots, being in the swamp and wet weather is the exact opposite of what a conducive condition for wound healing would be!

And so, I was a bit worried after hearing what the instructor said but I had confidence that God is ultimately in control. I asked God to give us good weather for the 3 days of survival training and 1 day of navigation and I was almost quite certain that God would answer because of the previous few days of fairly fine weather before the the actual training. However, on the evening before we were to go out for our survival training, it rained very heavily! And for just that one moment my confidence was shaken and I was anxious. Then God gently reminded me by this downpour that...

"Yes indeed, I the creator am in ultimate control of the weather. The fine weather that you have seen in the past few days and this heavy downpour that you now see comes by order from My throne. Do not be anxious."

At that point of time, I truely felt comforted and assured that my God is in control. That is all that mattered.

And guess what. Through out the entire survival training, it did not rain!! How real and great God is!

THE WOUND

As mentioned, the survival conditions that we were going into were not conducive for wound healing. And the most I could do to minimize an infection to my open wound was to get permission to bring fresh dressings, antiseptic cream and washing solution sufficient for the days that I would be in the jungle.

I went to see the medical officer (MO) with the intention of requesting a letter of authorization allowing me to bring those stuff required to keep my wound from a possible infection. (Just to elaborate, what we were allowed to bring in for the training was minimal and dressings and antiseptic cream and cleaning solutions were definitely not on the list.) When the MO saw my wound, he said that he did not want to let me go for the training as he was worried that I would get a more serious infection, melioidosis(btw, the wound was slightly infected when I saw the MO). I was thinking like.... WHAT!!!!!!! I came all the way to Brunei wanting to get the survival training over and done with and hoping never to step into the jungle in my army uniform again and now you are telling me that you don't want me to go!!! Wait a min... Wouldn't that mean I have to come back to Brunei again and it would delay my flight training? YES it would!!!! argh!!And whats more, I missed the aerospace for this s**t! okok stay calm, stay calm, pray, pray. And so I prayed to God Almighty that the MO would change his opinion and let me go for the training. Its a short 4 days and I don't want to have to come back to Brunei again, which would delay my flight training. God heard my prayer and answered it! All Praise to God!

Now I've got my dressings and all with me in the jungle and the most I could do was faithfully clean my wound and change my dressing at the end of each day just before I slept. Even before I went into the jungle for my survival training, I was praying very hard that God would preserve my wound and possibly even heal it. Understand this that for the 3 days I was in the jungle, my boots were soaked and my feet and wound were wet as well. In this kind of conditions, I wouldn't expect the wound to get better, much less, heal. When I looked at my wound every evening while changing the dressing, I did not know what to make out of it. I won't go into the details but it just looked white, wrinkled, messy and ...you get the idea. When the training came to an end and I was back in camp, able to leave the wound open to dry, I was totally amazed at what the wound had become. God had miraculously healed it and a scap had even formed! How powerful God is!

On retrospection, if my wound had healed before I started my training, I would not have seen God's power and glory! God's timing and plans are perfect! Perfect art Thou O LORD!

STRENGTH & RESOURCES

For survival, we were required to complete a given list of tasks. One of which was the building of a shelter. I would not go into the details of what I was to do but just know this that I needed lots and lots of logs and vines to complete these tasks. To cut the long story short, I was really behind time in the completion of my tasks as I wasn't able to find sufficient resources. Bear in mind that for we were not given any food until the third day when our tasks were complete. Strength was ebbing away slowly but surely. I prayed desperately to God for resources and strength to complete my tasks and God graciously led me to an area that had trees with the diameter I needed. After chopping almost 7-9 trees, which are 5-6m tall and 8-9cm thick, I thought the hardest part,chopping trees, was over. I was wrong. Bringing back these logs to my survival site was equally tough. It was really exhausting but God provided sufficient strength and I praise God for that. I completed my tasks just about the time when the instructor came in to assess. I really praise God for hearing my cry and providing the resources and strength for me to complete the tasks just in time!

If it was not for God's grace in providing the fine weather, I would have been drenched from head to toe every night as I only got the roof of my shelter up on the third day!! Great are you LORD!!!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honor and majesty..." -Psa 104

Results beyond expectations!

2006-02-18T01:43:00.000+08:00

Original Date of post: 27/01/06

It's been some time since I last posted. There are so many things in the past year to thank and praise God for that I do not know where and how to start.

Just an update on my current status - I'm currently at SAFTI MI, getting aquainted with the organisation that I'm working in, the airforce. I've just had a test the past week and I really thank God for blessing me withgood results. Our commanders had made it clear that whoever got above 70 marks would book out on friday night, which is today, and whoever got below 70 will only book out on saturday morning. And for those who failed, they'll be confined till saturday afternoon and would be required to take a retest. I thank God for the discpline to study for the test in the first place.During the course of studying for the test, I was praying real hard that I would get 70 and above so that I would be able to book out on friday (one must undestand that an extra night spent at home is much treasured and longed for by stay-in personnels such as I). And guess what, I not only got above 70 marks, but God blessed me with the highest marks in the wing!! How great is that! I wasn't even confident of getting above 70 but God had answered my prayer more than I've asked for. I'm really awed and overjoyed at how God works and how real and great a God He is!!=) Great Are You LORD my GOD!

All praise and Glory to God most High!!

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." -Jer 33:3

The days of "Mugging" [Part 2]

2006-02-18T01:31:00.001+08:00

Original Date of post: 05/11/05

I studied life science in university. Life science dealt with everything biological, which simply meant everything living and organic - you, me, the plants and animals, the environment we live in, the genetic make up and composition of living things, even right down to the chemical structures of these genes and the processes that goes on in our bodies to keep us functioning.

My University days have been a very enriching one. The three years of university proved only to strenghten my belief and faith in God the Creator. I recalled someone asking me how I could reconcile what I was studying and what I believe in. The reason why this guy was asking me this was because our uni lecturers tend to always attribute the complex metabolic processes or any complexity in an organism or living thing to the millions of years of evolution, which played God completely out of the picture. But byGod's grace, I did not have problem in reconciling what I studied and what I believe. The solution is simple. What we see today - complex chemical and biological composition and processes which are common and similar in the diverse life forms found on earth. The cause - Evolution over the millions of years solely left to the hands of chance or An infinite supreme being who created them, which accounts for the similar design despite the diversity of living things. Evolution or Creation? Man's wisdom or God's wisdom? Man's words or God's word? Nature as it is today; SMART man sees nature and interprets it as the result of evolution which is purely a theory in the firstplace because man was not there in the beginning to prove it a fact. The theory is solely based on the present, CLEVER deductions and man's wisdom. From the trend of science, theories are always changing as technology advances and reveals more. On the other hand, God tells us from His word that:

"All things were made by him[God]; and without him was not any thing made that was made" - John 1:3

He was there from the beginning -

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." -John 1:1

To us man whose life span is an average of 70 years God asks,

"Where wast thou when I[God] laid the foundations ofthe earth? declare if thou hast understanding." -Job38:4

I ask again myself and anyone reading this, a series of fair questions - Man's wisdom or God's Wisdom? Man's account or God's account? Man's words or God's word? Which is more reliable and trustworthy? Whose words have always been changing? Whose words are infallible and inerrant? Man's words and theory or God's word? This conclusion is for the individual to conclude. As for me, I have concluded and the the solution for recounciling what I studied and what I believe is as simple as taking God the infinite and supreme being at His word. He claimed that He created all things and was present from the beginning and I believe and trustHim on that because of who He is - A Holy and righteous God who does not and cannot lie. Been given both sides of the "story", I would say it is foolishness to believe man who falls every now and then, makes mistakes (I wonder who said, "to err is only human"), who is only mortal, whose word is subjected to change and whose wisdom is limited rather than God who is infallible, inerrant, all powerful, never changing and Whose wisdom is unsearchable.

Some final thoughts on this matter: I find it impossible and ilogical to believe that the intricate, highly complex genetic, chemical composition and processes coupled with the complex metabolic pathways that all function in flawless sync to make every living thing functional, which is far more advance and complex than any of man's technologyis attributed to chance. A table or chair has a simple design and is attributed to a human designer; a bird house with a simple design hung on a tree, incapable of repairing itself is attributed to a human designer. But a human being, who designed and made the chair and table whose biological design and "blueprint" is so complex that scientists up till today with their highly sophisticatedequipment are still baffled and puzzled at its mysteries and complexities, is attributed to chance; the tree on which the bird house is hung is equally complex in its design and is capable of "repairing" itself is attributed to chance. What logic is that? Shouldn't basic scientific principle and reasoning tell us that if a simple design is attributed to a designer, how much more shouldn't a complex design be attributed to a designer as well??!A Supreme Designer.

"For the invisible things of him from the creation ofthe world are clearly seen, being understood by thethings that are made, even his eternal power andGodhead; so that they are without excuse: Becausethat, when they knew God, they glorified him not asGod, neither were thankful; but became vain in theirimaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."-Rom 1:20-21

The days of "Mugging" [Part 1]

2006-02-18T01:21:00.002+08:00

Original date of post: 31/10/05

I started my studies at the National University ofSingapore (NUS) in 2002. Even as close as a few months before school started I wasn't quite sure on what to major in. After some prayer and consideration, I chose Life Science. What was I thinking?! I did not even have 'O' level Biology! These thoughts did not occur to me at that point of time. It came rather on retrospection. I remembered some friends commenting that it was very brave of me to jump into a totally new area of study. So how did I do in those 3 years of study? I did not get excellent grades but I was contented with what God gave me. Reasonable grades for me to pass with a merit. Praise God!=)

Through the 3 years, I thank God for providing a good friend who was willing and ever ready to help me in my studies. What were the chances of meeting an old time church friend whom I've not been in contact for about10 years and having him in the same Life Science course as me? Slim I would say. The next part gets even better. During lab and tutorial sessions, we'll be almost always in the same class because our surnames were alphabetically close. What were the chances of that?! Neither event could be planned. Not by man at least. I can only say that it was God's wonderful providence and perfect plan worked out.

Examinations were the most dreaded yet looked forward to event of the semester. Dreaded because of countless reasons. ha. Looked forward to because of the semester holidays that followed after that. The nature of studying life science is such that lots of memory work is required. Understanding the topic helps, but it was not sufficient. If you guys haven't already known, I do not really excel in memory work. Anyway, each test and exam period was really challenging and I really thank God that He answered my prayer of seeing me through the exams each semester. I would say my faith and trust in God for seeing me through the exams grewwith every passing semester. At every exam period, Iwould be reminded that since God had seen me through the past number of semesters, He would definitely see me through the current one. With this assurance, I prayed in faith. However, I recalled moments during exams that despite the knowledge that God had seen me through the past semesters and exams, I still let anxiety take over and I started to worry about failing the exam. One such semester was my last semester. During the exam period of the last semester, I got a call from the airforce telling me that I have passed the medical test, which was the 3rd and final test before airgrading and that they were ready to accept me once I graduated. This call caused me to worry about scenarios that if I did not pass my last semester, my intake into the airforce would be delayed. Worst still, they might not want me.I thank God that these thoughts and anxieties did not last long. I was quickly reminded by God that He was Sovereign. On retrospection, how quickly I let circumstances and challenges of the world "grow larger" than God who made the world and is in control! I really praise and thank God for seeing me through my 3 years of studies in NUS. Without God I would not dare think of the possible outcome. How gracious and good the LORD is.=) All Glory to God who is the Beginning and the End, theAlpha and Omega!

'O Lord Most High, Creator and most Sovereign Lord, grant me the grace to remain unmovable and steadfast in the knowledge of and faith in You and Your Word even in the most distressing storms and burdensome challenges of life ahead. Grant me the grace to live by faith that I might be pleasing unto You. In Jesus'name I pray, A-men'

"But without faith it is impossible to please him[God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." -Heb 11:6

Restarting

2006-02-18T01:10:00.000+08:00

After dealing and clarifying some technical problems, the blog is up again for the glory of God. =) will be putting back some of the entries.

All Glory to God!